Why does breastfeeding make me feel weird?

Understanding the Complex Emotions of Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is often celebrated as one of the most natural and nurturing acts a mother can engage in. However, many women report feeling a range of unexpected emotions and sensations during this intimate process, leading to feelings of confusion or discomfort. Understanding why breastfeeding can evoke such complex feelings involves exploring both the physiological and psychological dimensions of the experience.
The Biological Response
At the heart of the breastfeeding experience is a powerful cocktail of hormones. When a mother breastfeeds, her body releases oxytocin, often referred to as the “love hormone.” This hormone plays a crucial role in bonding and emotional connection, but it can also lead to unexpected feelings of arousal or emotional vulnerability. The physical stimulation of a nursing baby can trigger these sensations, which may feel strange or even unsettling for some mothers.
Moreover, breastfeeding is not merely a straightforward act of feeding; it involves intricate biological processes that can lead to various emotional reactions. For instance, the transition of hormones during breastfeeding can create a unique emotional landscape, where feelings of joy and connection might coexist with discomfort or confusion.
Dysphoric Milk Ejection Reflex (DMER)
Another factor that can contribute to these feelings is a condition known as Dysphoric Milk Ejection Reflex (DMER). This phenomenon is characterized by feelings of sadness or anxiety that some women experience just before or during milk ejection. Research suggests that this condition is linked to hormonal changes, specifically a decrease in dopamine levels, which are associated with feelings of reward, and an increase in prolactin, the hormone responsible for milk production. This shift can lead to a sense of emotional dissonance, making the breastfeeding experience feel overwhelming or even distressing for some mothers.
Cultural and Personal Context
Cultural perceptions of breastfeeding also play a significant role in shaping a mother’s experience. In many societies, breasts are primarily viewed through a sexual lens, which can complicate the emotional landscape of breastfeeding. For some women, the act of breastfeeding can evoke feelings of embarrassment or discomfort due to societal norms and expectations surrounding the use of breasts for feeding versus sexual purposes. This duality can lead to a sense of conflict, as mothers navigate their roles as nurturers while grappling with ingrained societal views.
Conclusion
In summary, the feelings of weirdness or discomfort that some mothers experience while breastfeeding can be attributed to a combination of hormonal responses, emotional complexities, and cultural perceptions. It is essential for mothers to recognize that these feelings are not uncommon and can vary widely from person to person. Understanding the multifaceted nature of breastfeeding can help mothers navigate their experiences with greater awareness and acceptance, ultimately fostering a more positive breastfeeding journey.

What are the weird symptoms of breastfeeding?

In the first few days and even weeks, it can feel like breastfeeding takes a lot of time and mental energy, but it will get easier.

• Breastfeeding Can Hurt.
• Newborns Like to Nurse Often.
• Babies Can Reject Breastfeeding.
• Breasts Can Leak Milk.
• Breastfeeding Burns Calories.
• You May Get Uterine Cramps.

Why do I get a weird feeling when I breastfeed?

It’s due to a hormonal fluctuation of dopamine. For some women, it is momentary. For others, it is incapacitating, making it difficult to breastfeed. Dysfunctional Milk Ejection Reflex is a real condition.

Why do I feel uneasy while breastfeeding?

D-MER is a rare condition which some breastfeeding women experience. Women with D-MER feel negative emotions seconds before their let-down reflex. It happens when they are breastfeeding or expressing and can also happen if their breasts let down at times when they aren’t breastfeeding.

What is dysregulated breastfeeding?

Because a vigorous sucking pattern without stopping is a new descriptor for a dysregulated breastfeeding pattern, this study has identified a behavior that—if future research is supportive—care providers and lactation specialists should assess.

Why do I feel violated when breastfeeding?

Breastfeeding and reproductive hormones
Hormonal shifts are one of the most common causes of breastfeeding aversion. These shifts are usually due to either menstruation, ovulation, or pregnancy. For some breastfeeding parents, breastfeeding aversion peaks during their menstrual cycle.

How long does it take for hormones to balance after breastfeeding?

The return to pre-pregnancy hormone levels can vary greatly, but generally hormones will normalize within three to six months. If you are breastfeeding, as you wean from it, your prolactin and oxytocin levels will drop—potentially leaving you feeling sad, anxious or irritable.

How long does it take for your body to adjust to breastfeeding?

On day 4, manage engorgement and expect changes in baby’s bowel movements. On day 5, expect your baby and your body to start adjusting to breastfeeding. Between days 6 and 10, start settling into a more predictable breastfeeding routine.

Does breastfeeding mess with your emotions?

Breastfeeding has been reported to impact mood and stress reactivity in mothers [55]. Specifically, breastfeeding mothers report reductions in anxiety, negative mood, and stress when compared to formula-feeding mothers [56].

Is it normal to feel weird about breastfeeding?

Not everyone has a positive experience with breastfeeding. If you feel negative emotions like anger or sadness when your milk lets down, you may have D-MER, or dysphoric milk ejection reflex. You’re not alone, you did nothing to cause it and there’s nothing “wrong” with you.

Why do I feel different when breastfeeding?

In fact, a woman’s hormones after delivery can play a major role in their breastfeeding experience. “A woman can have a dip in mood from changes in the hormones responsible for lactation, called oxytocin and prolactin,” says Mary Hoffman, an advanced clinician lactation consultant at Sharp Mary Birch.